Automatic fire-alarm.



Patented luly I, |902.

M. K. FRED, AUTOMATIC FIRE. ALARM (Application filed Mar 22, 1902.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MASON KENNEY FRED, OF BANDERA, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,909, dated July 1, 1902.

Application filed March 22, 1902. Serial No. 99.538. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAsoN KENNEY FRED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bandera, in the county of Bandera and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Automatic Fire-Alarm, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in automatic fire alarms, and has for its principal object to provide an improved form of electric signaling device for closing or opening an electric circuit in case of fire or when a predetermined degree of heat has been reached in its vicinity.

A still further object of the invention is to construct a device of this character in which all springs or othermechanisms of like charactor which may be effected by exposure are entirely dispensed with, the device being operated by gravity and being capable of use in connection with either an open or a closed circuit.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated ,in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a general diagram of an alarm-circuit provided with automatic circuit-closing devices in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detailed view of one of the circuit-closers, drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a slight modification.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

As the device is principally intended for use in connection with houses, hotels, and like structures, the wire employed may be of the character ordinarily used for bell-wiring,the two conducting-wires 5 and 6,through which the circuit is established, being secured together by partially twisting the same, or, if desired, they may be extended parallel with each other. In establishing the system it is not necessaryto employ any of the expensive circuit-closers in common use, and the wires may be secured to the walls or ceiling by the ordinary double-pointed tacks ordinarily used with flame being used for this purpose.

in installing an alarm-bell or annunciator system.

At a convenient point, as in the office of a hotel or factory or the principal room of the dwelling, is placed anelectromagnetic alarm '7, which may take the form of the usual bell, one of the line-wires 5 being connected to one of the binding-posts of the bell and the opposite binding-post being connected by a suitable conductor 8 to a battery or other source of electrical energy 9. To one pole of the battery is connected the opposite line-wire 6, and the various circuit-closing devices are so arranged at convenient points throughout the system that when the temperature rises above a predetermined point the two line-wires will be connected and a circuit established in cluding the battery and bell and sounding an alarm. At convenient points throughout the length of both of the line-wires the wires are twisted in such manner as to form projecting loops 10,from which the insulation is removed, the remaining portions of the wires being as a matter of course properly insulated. The loops are arranged in alternation on the two line-wires and preferably are spaced at equidistant intervals. In each of the loops 10 is hung a link 11 of the character more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the longer side portions of each link being insulated and the end portions of each link being bare and in metallic and electrical contact with the line-wire loops l0. Adjacentlinks are connected in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, their adjacent insulated portions being normally held out of contact with each other by securing together the insulated portions, a thread or fusible material of any desired character which will be destroyed by a high temperature or by contact In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the employment of a thread 14- and in Fig. 3 the use of a plug 14, of fusible material, which will melt when the temperatureisabnormallyincreased. IVhen the fastening between the links is destroyed, said links fall by gravity until their uninsulated portions are in contact with'each other, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, closing a circuit between adjacent loops on the different line-wires and energizing the electroinagnets of the alarm-bell.

Pairs of loops may be arranged for the support of circuit-closing links at any suitable intervals throughout the length of the mainline wires; but preferably each loop is provided with two links, as indicated in Fig. 1, so that a continuous system of circuit-closers is established, insuring the closing of the circuit at any point Where the temperature is abnormal.

Where the line-wires are partially fixed t0- ge'ther, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the loops are better enabled to support the circuit-closing rings, the arrangement of the loops on one wire with respect to the other Wire being such that the loop-forming Wire is bent downwardly over one side of the supporting-Wire and after the loop is formed up over the opposite side of the said Wire.

While the construction herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is the preferred form of the device, it is obvious that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An automatic fire-alarm system, comprising two line-wires arranged in a circuit including a source of electrical energy and alarm, loops formed on such line-Wires, links carried by the loops and normally held from electrical contact, said links having uninsulated portions adapted to make contact and close the circuit by gravity when subjected to an abnormal increase in temperature.

2. An automatic fire-alarm, comprising two line-Wires arranged in a circuit including a source of electrical energy and an alarm, uninsulated loops formed on such line-wires, partially-insulated links carried by the loops, a destructible means for connecting the insulated portions of such links, said links having uninsulated portions adapted to make contact and close the circuit by gravity when subjected to an abnormal increase in temperature.

3. An automatic fire-alarm, comprising a pair of twisted line-wires having alternatelydisposed uninsulated loops, partially-insulated links in electrical contact With said loops, each loop supporting a plurality of links, and the links of the opposing line-wires being connected together to form a continuous system of circuit-closers, a destructible means for connecting the insulated portions of such links, said links having uninsulated portions adapted to make contact and to close the circuit by gravity when subjected to an abnormal increase in temperature.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MASON KENNEY FRED.

WVitnesses:

J. W. Honors, GEO. J. Fun. 

